And then there were two…or none

The Spurs' Wesley Witherspoon drives around Montepaschi Siena's Matt Janning during second half action Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 106-77.

The Spurs' Wesley Witherspoon drives around Montepaschi Siena's Matt Janning during second half action Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at the AT&T Center. The Spurs won 106-77.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News

Image 2 of 6

Wesley Witherspoon of the Spurs shoots against Atlanta during preseason NBA action at the AT&T Center on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012.

Wesley Witherspoon of the Spurs shoots against Atlanta during preseason NBA action at the AT&T Center on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012.

Photo: Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News

Image 3 of 6

Nando De Colo of the Spurs (right) is embraced by teammate Tony Parker, who did not play and is credited with calling the final play of game during which De Colo hit a game-winning shot to beat the Atlanta Hawks at the AT&T Center on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. Teammates Wesley Witherspoon and Stephen Jackson also celebrate. less

Nando De Colo of the Spurs (right) is embraced by teammate Tony Parker, who did not play and is credited with calling the final play of game during which De Colo hit a game-winning shot to beat the Atlanta ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News

Image 4 of 6

The Spurs' Wesley Witherspoon (11) and the Houston Rockets Carlos Delfino (10) both reach for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Houston. Spurs won 116-107. less

The Spurs' Wesley Witherspoon (11) and the Houston Rockets Carlos Delfino (10) both reach for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Houston. Spurs won ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne / Associated Press

Image 5 of 6

The Spurs' Wesley Witherspoon (11) dives for the ball while defended by the Houston Rockets Greg Smith (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Houston. Spurs won 116-107. less

The Spurs' Wesley Witherspoon (11) dives for the ball while defended by the Houston Rockets Greg Smith (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Houston. Spurs won ... more

Photo: Eric Kayne / Associated Press

Image 6 of 6

The Spurs' Wesley Witherspoon (11) scores against the Houston Rockets during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Houston. The Spurs won 116-107.

The Spurs' Wesley Witherspoon (11) scores against the Houston Rockets during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Houston. The Spurs won 116-107.

And then there were two...or none

1 / 6

Back to Gallery

Well, that was fun.

Tuesday brought my first experience with the man message board denizens and radio talk show hosts have dubbed “CIA Pop” – AKA, the Spurs’ Machiavellian head coach, Gregg Popovich.

On Saturday, he told colleague Jeff McDonald that the all-important battle for San Antonio’s final roster spot had boiled down to Eddy Curry and Derrick Brown.

On Tuesday, he followed that up by saying the organization would begin “pretty adamant” talks about how the competition will play out in the coming days.

So what happened? Curry and Brown were whacked less than two hours later.

Judging by McDonald’s Twitter feed, Spurs fans might go into mourning now that Curry won’t be groomed as the heir to Tim Duncan’s throne, while us hacks will no longer have the guilty-pleasure sidebar of watching him try to rehabilitate his reputation as one of the biggest draft busts in recent memory. (At least now we will no longer be faced with the temptation of posting any Curry photoshops at the risk of our credential.)

In the end, it’s probably fitting that the right to sit at the end of the Spurs’ bench and watch as they pursue another title will come down to the decidedly mundane choice between journeyman Josh Powell and the undrafted Wesley Witherspoon.

(Although as Popovich noted on Tuesday – and we believe him 100 percent in this case – the Spurs are under no obligation to keep either of them. Keeping with his CIA persona, he also referenced “spots” at the end of the roster being under discussion, even though the Spurs have only one open position. Hmmm…)

In Powell, you have a mediocre veteran who brings professionalism, solid intangibles and a respectable 20-footer.

In Witherspoon, you have an unproven rookie with baggage and the type of 3-point touch the Spurs have taken to stockpiling in recent years.